What Happens When Your Basement Sump Pump Fails?

Sump pumps are the silent heroes of basements and homes in general. Without any hoopla, they quietly protect your home from flooding, and living in Indiana, you know basement flooding can happen quite easily. It only takes that one major rainfall or storm to foil your sump pump’s success rate.

Our professional plumbers at Young Plumbing recommend maintaining your sump pump regularly to prevent mishaps. Many sump pump failures our plumbers typically see on service calls in Valparaiso, and surrounding cities are caused by issues that could have been easily prevented.

What to Do if My Sump Pump Failed?

When your basement floods, panic can set in; water is everywhere, and your belongings are drenched.

Your sump pump failed. What should you do?

Do not panic. Take a deep breath and prepare to act quickly to prevent water damage to your home. Here’s what you should do right away:

1. Turn off the power: First, disconnect the power supply to the sump pump. This will prevent any electrical hazards, especially if the pump has been exposed to water.
2. Assess the situation: Check for visible issues with the pump. Is there an obstruction in the pump or discharge pipe? Is the float switch stuck or jammed? Sometimes, simply clearing a blockage can get the pump working again.
3. Manually remove water: If water is already pooling, use a bucket, wet/dry vacuum, or towels to remove as much water as possible from the affected area. The quicker you get the water out, the less damage it can cause to your floors, walls, and foundation.
4. Call a professional: If you’re unable to resolve the issue yourself, or if you’re unsure what caused the failure, call a licensed plumber or sump pump technician immediately. They can identify the root cause and make repairs or replacements as needed.
5. Check the backup system: If you have a battery-operated backup sump pump, now is the time to ensure it’s functioning properly. This can be a lifesaver in the event of a primary pump failure.

Taking quick action can minimize the damage and help get your sump pump back in action, keeping your home dry and protected.

Common Causes of Sump Pump Failure

While a sump pump can unexpectedly fail for many reasons, our experts at Young Plumbing see certain failures more often than others. Our plumbers can help you with regular maintenance to identify potential problems or prevent them before a flooding disaster occurs.

In the case of a failed sump pump, we can usually determine the reason for the failure—often one of the below causes—and address the issue.

•  Power failure. Your pump needs power to work. A power outage or surge, a plug that has come unplugged, or a tripped circuit could be the culprit. Sometimes, a simple reboot does the trick.

•  Wrong-size pump. If your pump is overwhelmed due to too much water for its size, it can’t do its job. The same goes if your pump is too large, leading to overwork. Both of these scenarios result in a shortened life span. Our experts can help you determine how much horsepower you need so you can buy the right pump for the job.

•  Stuck switch. A stuck switch is a common mechanical problem that can cause your pump to constantly run, among other consequences. If caught in time, a simple adjustment can correct this.

•  Clogged or frozen discharge line. If your pump’s discharge line is clogged or frozen, the line’s flood water has nowhere to go but back into your basement. Our plumber can install a specialty discharge line to help with water exiting in the case of a frozen line and help you prevent debris buildup in your line.

 • No air relief hole in the discharge line. Without an air relief hole, your pump will work harder and have a shorter life span. The hole should be drilled between the pump and check valve to prevent air pressure buildup in the line.

•  Lack of maintenance. As with anything in your home, regular maintenance is a small investment that can keep your sump pump running smoothly and encourage a long life.

•  Defective pump or old age. As you may have experienced, equipment sometimes fails because it is defective. Sump pumps are no exception. On occasion, this can be the reason for a failing pump. Other times, the pump fails because it is worn out, and it is simply time for a replacement.

Preventing Sump Pump Failure in the First Place

Sump pumps are mechanical, which inherently means that no matter how much maintenance you perform on your pump, it could still fail. This said, regular maintenance goes a long way in preventing many of the issues causing sump pump failures and helps extend their life span.

A typical good-quality sump pump can last 8 to 12 years, though neglect usually shaves quite a few years off this number. Installing a backup sump pump is always a wise investment and can prevent many potential calamities.

Call and speak to one of our plumbers about regular maintenance or a backup pump. Our expert plumbers can also guide you in some DIY sump pump maintenance to help keep your system healthy and happy.

Young Plumbing Is Here for All Your Plumbing Needs

Sump pumps are responsible for keeping your Valparaiso, home dry. Whatever the reason, you may find your basement flooded due to a failed sump pump. When this happens, call the trusted and highly trained plumbers at Young Plumbing at 219-764-5500 or request service online.

Remember, regular maintenance goes a long way in helping sump pumps do their job.